Since 1992 Wonderbrass has been dazzling audiences with their phenomenal onstage presence and diversity of sound. Led by multi instrumentalist and composer Rob Smith, the band aim to take audiences on an epic journey through a huge variety of music. Utilising both original compositions and pieces inspired by prolific and international musicians Wonderbrass draws on the brass band traditions of New Orleans, including the contemporary hip-hop and funk updates, the groovy township beat of Abdullah Ibrahim and even the coeval pop of Lady Gaga and Madonna!
Jazz has always drawn on popular songs and styles that are really just in the air at the time so people shouldn’t be surprised to hear Spice Girls songs and Kanye West tunes forming the basis of some of our performances. Rob Smith, Musical Director
Initiated by Smith as a 10 session community project in the South Wales Valleys, the project was so successful that Wonderbrass has developed from a small group of amateur musicians eager to learn and develop their skills to become the 36 strong ‘Jazz Juggernaut’ they are known as today.
Joined by top drummer Mark O’Connor in 1997 the two have worked to make learning and playing a huge variety of musical styles a fun and exciting experience for band members and audiences alike.
Wonderbrass continues to grow, both in numbers and in musical diversity, taking on new members each year and working with international musical personalities such as Claude Deppa, King Django, Jason Yarde and South Africa’s very own Amampondo.
This year Wonderbrass have received a grant of £10,000 having been chosen as one of the twenty participants of New Music 20×12, an independent commissioning programme initiated by Jillian Barker and David Cohen. The project is delivered by PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the BBC, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and Sound and Music.
Jason Yarde
With this award the band have commissioned top composer Jason Yarde to write a piece entitled ‘Skip’ ‘Dash’, ‘Flow’. The original and exciting compositions and improvisations of Yarde have been hailed for their diversity and he has been noted for the variety of media for which he writes and plays. Yarde has worked with everything; from orchestras to chamber ensembles; from film scores to beat poetry and even a previous project with Wonderbrass in 2002. Recipient of the Jazz on 3 Innovation award at the 2005 BBC Jazz Awards and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award 2010, Yarde’s work with Wonderbrass promises to be an exciting project for the band and its audiences.
‘Skip’, ‘Dash’, ‘Flow’ will be performed to audiences throughout 2012 and even feature Jason Yarde playing alongside Wonderbrass on many occasions. The piece will premier in Cardiff on February 21st 2012 at Wonderbrass’ annual Mardi Gras Gig with performances across the UK in 2012. A performance on at the South Bank Centre in July is even in the pipeline.
Of the 19 other musical groups selected, Wonderbrass is the only Welsh organisation to be chosen to participate. Visit the Projects page to find out more about this programme and our involvement in it.
Contact us to book us for a performance which will feature this unique commission in 2012.
Wonderbrass are not like other bands; although we charge a performance fee, the musicians don’t get paid. Instead, the fees are used to fund tuition costs and projects for the band so that members are able to perform with and learn from top musicians from a variety of backgrounds and genres. This also means that we play for the love of it.
Expect an intoxicating mix of jazz, Latin, ska, pop, township and soul performed on an eclectic mix of instruments including trumpets, flutes, trombones, saxophones, guitar, drums and keyboards!
A band for all occasions – guaranteed to lift your spirits and your knees wherever you hear them!